Distributed in the US by Sideshow Collectibles, Hot Toys' line of sixth scale figures based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe films have been true standouts, and have included many variations on Tony Stark and Iron Man, thanks to all the different looks/suits the movies provide. Sideshow / Hot Toys have now released two new figures from Iron Man 3 that put the spotlight on James "Rhodey" Rhodes, via separate figures for War Machine and Iron Patriot.

Let's get out of the way that these are basically the exact same figures with a different paint job - which is movie-accurate, given Joan Rivers, in a cameo, mentions in Iron Man 3 that Iron Patriot is War Machine with a new coat of paint. The interesting thing about the War Machine figure is that we never truly saw this look for the character in the Iron Man movies. The figure is specifically marked War Machine Mark II, which sounds right, given Rhodey, paint job aside, was clearly wearing new armor in Iron Man 3 compared to what he wore in Iron Man 2, with several cosmetic differences. So essentially, this figure is based on something the movie inferred existed, but we never saw - a new version of the War Machine armor before the makeover into Iron Patriot.

War Machine and Iron Patriot are among a new group of Iron Man figures from Hot Toys that are part of the new MMS Diecast series. Both figures are incredibly detailed - the most detailed Hot Toys Iron Man figures yet, with a notable amount of moving parts and plates on the armor, reflecting much of what you see in the films. I was impressed, for instance, to discover the moving plates around the boots of the figures, much as you see in the films' when the armor is in flight.

I should also note these suckers are heavy! The only previous Hot Toys Iron Man I have is the Avengers Mark VII suit, and compared to that, the Diecast figures have a noticeable amount of added weight, and feel very durable as a result (though with all the moving parts, you obviously still need to be careful!). The paint job on both figures is terrific, but the Iron Patriot one -- given its more vibrant color scheme -- really pops, with its bright and shiny red, white and blue. The details on both figures is great, such as numbering on the armor and the "Lt Col James Rhodes" type on the chest plate.

As with other recent Iron Man figures, the eyes, chest pieces and repulsers all light up. It looks awesome when all are lit up, but be warned it a pain to get to that point. For each of the four light up points on each figure, three small, circular batteries must be inserted behind both an outer covering (to hide where they go) and a second panel behind that, that must be unscrewed. While this helps the figure look as accurate as it does, making sure all the battery points aren't visible, you'll still need some patience to get all the batteries in and remove, and then close back up, all the various panels involved. The figures come with large, circular bases (which also light up) and stands that fix around the waist, in order to better hold up the heavier than usual figures.

As I said, the physical details on both figures are exactly the same, including the shoulder cannon that fits onto the back and three different sets of hands (including one with highly articulated fingers), so if you only wanted to get one, it would probably really come down to which you think looks cooler; the red, white and blue Iron Patriot look or the grey and silver War Machine. However, there is one notable difference between the two figures - only Iron Patriot comes with a second head, showing an unmasked Rhodey inside, featuring a well done likeness of Don Cheadle. It's a small detail but a notable one, as it is pretty cool to be able to show the man inside, and there are also two alternate face plates includes, one that could be held by the figure, the other which uses magnets to place it on the top of the head, for those moments in the films where Rhodey or Tony simply raise the face plate up. While it's these extras that make Iron Patriot more expensive -- $309.99 vs. $284.99 for War Machine -- I couldn't help but wish the War Machine figure also included the additional unmasked head.

Regarding that price point, yeah, it's really steep - even higher than the normal Hot Toys price for a figure of this size, due to it being Diecast. That especially will likely make many collectors choose only one of the two figures. (Though I will say if you have the money and wanna get extra geeky, you could always imagine it's Norman Osborn inside that Iron Patriot armor, like in the comics...)

Check out our gallery of photos of the War Machine and Iron Patriot sixth scale figures from Sideshow and Hot Toys: